Engineering, Agriculture, Science and Technology Journal (EAST-J)
Engineering, Agriculture, Science and Technology Journal (EAST-J) is a double-blind peer-reviewed international journal published by UCYP Press, UCYP University, Malaysia. The principal purpose of the journal is to publish scholarly work in Engineering, Agriculture, Science and Technology. Authors are encouraged to submit complete, unpublished, original, and full-length articles that are not under review in any other journals. All papers are subject to a double-blind peer-review process based on an initial screening by the editor criteria for evaluation include a significant contribution to the field, conceptual quality, appropriate methodology and clarity of exposition.
Comparing The Anti-Aging Potential of Cinnamon Creams Using Maceration and Percolation Methods
Human life is affected by aging. Some of the effects of aging is skin related, such as hydration, sebum production, and elasticity being the most common issues. Cinnamon, which quite well known for its beneficial properties, is gaining popularity as a natural skin care ingredient. We determined to analyze the potential of cinnamon extract in improving skin elasticity, sebum production and hydration in male white mice. We also will compare two extraction methods, maceration and percolation method, to determine their impacts on the effectiveness of cinnamon extract cream. Creams containing 10% cinnamon extract were prepared and applied to the skin of male white mice for a period of 4 weeks. Skin elasticity, sebum production levels and hydration were measured periodically using the EH-900 skin analyzer. After we apply the creams for 4 weeks, we found that the skin elasticity, sebum production, and also hydration had improved compared to the negative control group (p < 0.05). When we compared the two different methods, we found no notable differences suggesting that maceration and percolation methods are equally effective. We can conclude that cinnamon has the ability to improve the hydration, elasticity, and sebum production of skin when included in cream formulations. The choice between maceration and percolation methods did not affect the effectiveness of cinnamon extract in improving skin parameters. Cinnamon extract is a promising resource for anti-aging skincare products. The researcher suggests that more studies is done to explore the long-term and possible side effects.
Copyright (c) 2025 Engineering, Agriculture, Science and Technology Journal (EAST-J)
A Hybrid Bearing Monitoring Model Integrating Cosine-Difference and Weightiness in Nearest Neighbors Algorithm
This study presents a novel hybrid bearing condition monitoring model, CosWNN, which integrates cosine difference and weightiness within the k-nearest neighbors algorithm. The model addresses key challenges in vibration analysis, specifically the need for efficient computational resources and the scarcity of real-world faulty bearing data. By minimizing signal processing requirements and maintaining classification accuracy with limited data, CosWNN achieves an average accuracy of 77.1%, outperforming traditional nearest neighbors algorithms by 4.4% to 49.5%. Despite these advancements, the model's performance diminishes with fewer training samples, indicating the necessity for further optimization, including the adjustment of the quantity of nearest neighbors and the incorporation of data augmentation techniques. The study underscores the potential of CosWNN for robust bearing fault detection and its applicability in scenarios with constrained data and computational resources.
Radar Technology Advancements in Traffic Data Collection in Malaysian Urban Expressway
Today, given the rapid global population growth and increased urban infrastructure development, the task of collecting, monitoring, and analyzing traffic data has become increasingly challenging. Highway practitioners are tasked with ensuring that the capacity design, planning, monitoring, and operational analysis of existing and future expressways are sustainable, allowing for accurate transportation infrastructure assessments suitable for local conditions. This paper introduces a new methodology for collecting, monitoring, and analyzing traffic data on multi-lane roads using advanced radar technology known as the Speedlane ProTM Counter Classifier. This technology can record and detect individual vehicle lanes, speeds, and vehicle classifications. As a case study, traffic movement on one of Malaysia's urban expressways was examined, providing preliminary analysis of traffic data such as lane-specific volume, vehicle classification, and speed data. The introduction of this multi-lane traffic data collection and monitoring system, along with data analysis, creates significant opportunities. Consequently, the study's findings will contribute to future research and development by highway professionals and researchers, enhancing the approach to collecting, monitoring, and analyzing traffic data on local urban expressways in Malaysia. In conclusion, this new traffic data collection methodology holds significance for professionals across the field, as advanced radar technology offers real-time, precise traffic information.
The Effect of Hydrogel Extract of Kirinyuh Leaf On 2nd Degree Burn on Wistar Rat with Regard to Angiogenesis and Fibroblast Amount
Burn injuries continue to pose a significant health concern for society, as they can lead to permanent impairment of body functions and appearance, as well as disrupt daily life, including future employment prospects. This research aims to evaluate the potential of kirinyuh leaf hydrogel extract as a topical therapeutic agent in accelerating the healing of second-degree burn wounds in Wistar rats. The parameters assessed include the expression of VEGF, the quantity of neovascularization, and fibroblast count in the burn wounds. This study utilized an experimental design with a Post-Test Only Control Group, administering 5%, 10%, and 15% kirinyuh leaf hydrogel extract to Wistar rats induced with second-degree burns. Data normality was then analyzed using the Shapiro-Wilk test, followed by a One-Way ANOVA test. The results revealed a significant increase in VEGF expression, neovascularization, and fibroblast count when using kirinyuh leaf hydrogel extract compared to the negative control group, with the most significant effect observed at a concentration of 15% (p<0.05).
Course Recommendation Application for Admission to University
Studying in Higher Education institutions has been the dream of many students who completed their post-secondary schools. This study aims to assist the students in their decision for admission to the program courses offered at Universiti Kuala Lumpur (UniKL). A wide variety of technical program courses are offered on UniKL’s twelve campuses. Every campus institute has specific specialisation program courses. Students who wished to study at UniKL usually would have to search for courses offered on various UniKL campuses. Usually, students could not decide which courses suited their personality and future career path. This study proposes a prototype application that assists and recommends the students with their course selection according to their personality and final examination results. The prototype would let the students take a personality test that allows them to understand their personality and proposes a list of UniKL courses that match their personality and examination results. Therefore, the students would have a clear view of the prospective opportunities the program courses have to offer and the direction of their future careers. The career prediction recommendation would let the students target suitable courses that match their examination results and personality.
Course Recommendation, Admission, University, Higher Education Institution
Copyright (c) 2023 Norhaidah A. Haris, Nurdatillah Hasim, Adam Ramlee, Arif Azhan Shaari, Fauziah Abdul Rahman
A Mobile Application for Domestic Violence Victims Support and Evidence Recorder
ccording to a study conducted in 2014 by Pusat Penyelidikan Wanita dan Jantina (KANITA) at Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), 9% of women who have ever had a partner in Peninsular Malaysia had domestic violence at one compilation in their lives. In 2010, there were 3,173 cases of domestic violence reported. However, this number increased to 5,014 cases in 2015. According to the Corporate Communication division of Kementerian Pembangunan Wanita, Keluarga dan Masyarakat, calls to Talian Kasih have increased by 57 percent since Perintah Kawalan Pergerakan (PKP). However, calls and WhatsApp messages to the Women’s Aid Organization (WAO) helpline were reduced to 73% of calls a week during the PKP. Before PKP were enforced, WAO received an average of 77.5% of calls and message via WhatsApp in a week. This reduction does not mean that there is a reduction in cases because it is feared that the victim will not be able to make calls due to the situation where they are always with the abuser during the period of PKP. This study aims to develop a mobile application to aid and guide people facing domestic violence. The primary function of this application is to help the victim; 1) to record their evidence in audio/video recording, 2) to help the victim to alert the polis in case of emergency, 3) to get help and find the nearest shelter whenever needed. This mobile application is developed using the Flutter framework. Firebase is used as the back-end component to store all the records. The result of this study is the improvement of the existing mobile application for domestic violence in Malaysia.
Mobile Application, Domestic Violence, Victims Support, Evidence Recorder
Copyright (c) 2023 Nurdatillah Hasim, Norhaidah Abu Haris, Nur Nisa Adliena Amaluddin, Hazirah Mohd Faizal
Forecasting Erosion Induced Landslide Risk Level in Cameron Highlands Towards Environmental Sustainability
The Cameron Highlands are particularly susceptible to erosion because of their agricultural and urban expansion. Numerous existing and proposed development projects in the Cameron Highlands have contributed to this scenario which risks the environment. Thus, this study uses the USLE model with a GIS application to assess the risk of soil loss in Cameron Highlands. An earlier study by PLANMalaysia and the Department of Agriculture Malaysia, which documented varying land use and land cover, yielded different soil loss risk estimates in the Cameron Highlands. Town growth and development are reflected in land-use statistics from PLANMalaysia, whilst agricultural influence is reflected in land-use data from the Department of Agriculture. Based on the findings, REDAC USM's soil loss risk level estimated that 6.72 per cent of the Cameron Highlands have a 'HIGH' risk or higher. With the use of this new soil loss risk level developed by REDAC USM, farmers and local authorities may be able to regulate present land-use habits, reduce soil loss and erosion, and promote environmental sustainability in the Cameron Highlands.
Geographic Information System, Soil Loss, USLE
Copyright (c) 2022 Roslan Zainal Abidin, Mohd Amirul Mahamud, Muhammad Zaki Mohd Kasim, Junaidah Abdullah, Mohd Fazly Yusof, Mohd Remy Rozainy Mohd Arif Zainol, Nor Azazi Zakaria.
Implementation of EML and GPR Technology for Underground Utilities Detection
Underground utility mapping is important for extracting underground utility information such as electrical and telephone cables, gas pipes, drainage pipes and water pipes. Electromagnetic Location Surveys (EML) and Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) have been widely used for mapping underground utilities at certain depths and refined utility characteristics. If it involves certain soils such as involving soils that are harder than usual, there is a possibility that the waves transmitted by the GPR are slower as compared to softer soils. Even the moisture rate on the soil also affects the GPR image. This study was conducted to find out how these two equipments are used with reference to the accuracy of hyperbolic images in GPR Radargram. The methodology carried out is by utility installation detection work and marking of detection information using EML and GPR by taking several images using the same frequency in the same area which is located in Perumahan Makmur Penor Utara Jaya (PUJ) using GPR model equipment (Leica DS2000), GPS (Topcon Hyper V) and EML (RD8100). Thus, the analysis found that appropriate conditions was when electrical cables can be detected more easily by using the clamping method which used the "peak" mode at frequencies of 8KHz - 33 KHz for EML devices and for GPR. The use of high frequencies (1GHz or more) is more suitable at making detection work for smaller utilities, in line with the formula 0.1*λ, where λ is the wavelength. Therefore, the results of this study are very important for quality improvement during data collection work as well as an increase in the production of high-quality underground utility maps.
Underground Utilities Detection, EML, GPR
Copyright (c) 2022 Syed Idrus Syed Salim, Asrul Zakaria, Nor Azme Nordin, Sulzakimin Mohamed
Implementing Artificial Intelligence Chatbot in Moodle Learning Management System
Learning Management System (LMS) is a software application or web-based technology that is used to develop, implement, and evaluate a specific learning process. KYP has implemented an e-Learning Management System (e-LMS) using Moodle since early 2021. The main features already implemented in this e-LMS is course details and it should also support the communication process between lecturers and students where currently, the KYP e-LMS lack of. Usually, students will ask the same question to their lecturer in person and cause the lecturer to have to give the same answers repeatedly. This results in a waste of time for both parties in answering and receiving answers. To overcome the problem, there is a need to replace the manual way of getting answers to any kind of academic or course related questions repeatedly. The main objective of the project is to develop an intelligence Chatbot which can help students finding academic related information without the need to ask their instructors or spent more time browsing menus in e-LMS. E-LMS has been developed based on Rational Unified Process (RUP) approach. In this project, the Moodle system is fully implemented by integrating with Kommunicate, one of the Cloud software and Dialog Flow, which is a chatbot plugin system connected with Google Could Platform. An AI Chatbot able to interact with students and can provide answer to students' queries instantly despite of the place, date and time zone of the student as well as enhances interaction which provides a feel of support to the students.
Learning Management System, Web-Based Technology, E-Learning, Artificial Intelligent, Chatbot
Copyright (c) 2022 Mahendran Shilowaras, Nor Amizam Jusoh
Soil Characterisation and Its Effect on Depth Accuracy Using Ground Penetrating Radar
Assessing depth of utility in different soil moisture conditions require good research. Moreover, different soil moisture conditions produce depths that are not the same as one another. The information of underground utility such as depth is very important to avoid damage towards utility during excavation process. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the depth recorded by the (GPR) equipment in different soil condition in terms of soil moisture. The first objective of this study was to determine the soil moisture level for three different soil conditions. Next, this study evaluated the depth accuracy produced by the GPR equipment with the different soil moisture level such as dry, semi-dry and wet. Different soil moisture conditions were determined by the sampling of the three soil conditions. These samples were taken and tested using speedy soil moisture tester equipment that provided the percentage of soil moisture content. Next, the depth of utility was taken at the three soil moisture conditions and an assessment was made. The shape of hyperbolic on the radargram was generated from the equipment and was used to assess the accuracy of the depth. The information from this study is very useful to underground utility users which can help the development of the country in general. It also benefits the improvement of the preparation quality of underground utility mapping.
Soil Moisture, Accuracy, Ground Penetrating Radar
Copyright (c) 2022 Noor Khairul Idham Nordin, Che Ku Ahmad Fuad, Mohd Nizar Hashim
Online Attendance System Using Face Recognition
An attendance management system is a system used to record the daily attendance and can be used to compile insightful data for better decision making. During the Covid-19 pandemic period, most employees at University College of Yayasan Pahang (UCYP) were instructed to work from home in order to reduce the spread of the disease in workplace. The UCYP’s Human Resource (HR) department record attendance and tasks done by employees during working at home by using word-processing based manual form. IT Department of UCYP has developed portal-based attendance system to keep electronic record of staffs’ attendance to cope with working from home condition. However, there is a need to create a more reliable attendance system. The objective of this project is to create an online attendance system using face recognition technique to overcome the problem faced by the HR department. The first step is to develop a mobile-based attendance system using face recognition technique to capture images of legal employees, store images in the database and provides function for clock in and out. Next, a web-based system is developed to generate attendance reports for personal and HR Department’s usage. Personal Extreme Programming (PXP) methodology has been used to develop the system. Based on the testing done, the system able to function as required in capturing the face images of legal employees and allowed them to perform checking in and out. An online attendance management system using face recognition technique able to solve the problem faced by the organization and can achieve high accuracy during employee identification.
Attendance Management System, Face Recognition, Mobile-Apps, Personal Extreme Programming (PXP)
Copyright (c) 2022 Lee Weng Yew, Kasmawahida Ab Wahab, Nor Amizam Jusoh
Web-Based Student Task Management System
Task management systems are usually used by the project development teams to track their tasks from beginning to end, delegate subtasks to teammates, and set deadlines to make sure projects get done on time. It helps individuals to work more productively and efficiently. The same concept can be applied to students who have to perform group assignments but are located remotely from each other due to the closure of educational institutions because of the Covid19 pandemic. It is difficult for a student to divide group tasks since they only meet each other virtually through online classes with limited time. The objective of this project is to produce a web-based student task management system that can help UCYP students in managing their assignments and (to better manage the tasks assign) so they will not pass the deadline. The system has task tracking and recommendation features that help the student to manage their tasks easier and can decide the most important or critical task to do first. Student Task Management System implementing the Agile methodology in system development using JavaScript frameworks for both frontend and backend. The front-end is developed using Next.js and TypeScript while the back-end uses Node.js and GraphQL. The back-end itself will connect to the MongoDB database stored in the cloud using the MongoDB Atlas. This system implements authentication using the help of Firebase authentication which makes it easy for users to log in using their Google or Facebook accounts. The Web-based Student Task Management System was able to solve the problem of managing students’ tasks and making them become more productive and efficient in their studies.
Student Task Management System, Web-based, Agile methodology
Copyright (c) 2022 Farhan Ahmad Nurzi, Kasmawahida Ab Wahab
Student Centered Post Covid Teaching Using Asynchronous Platform in Malaysia Polytechnic
This paper is focusing on the Engineering Mathematics course that was conducted on an online platform due to the Pandemic of Covid-19. Mathematics instructors are being forced to digitize their course materials, such as videos of lecture topics over the Internet, but lack a detailed survey that addresses how students interact with course content, the tools available during class, and the available equipment at home. This presence challenge has been encountered through before and after class surveys to close the gap on the abovementioned issue through online learning. Throughout this study, the needs of students of the various departments involved were taken into account for the calculation of their satisfaction feedback that was investigated. The survey results also indicate that the problem of Internet coverage over time no longer exists for most students. Only the result of audio equipment instability due to the non-standard good quality of the equipment used during the online learning course was rated 18.3% out of 100%. The engineering mathematics content was delivered as planned and no critical learning issues were identified.
Teaching Platform, Before and After Survey, Engineering Mathematics
Copyright (c) 2022 Siti Faridah Ismail, Rohani Ahsan@Hamsan, Elmi Abu Bakar
Identification on Chemical Constituent of Alpinia purpurata Hydrosol Extracted by Hydro Distillation Method
Alpinia purpurata (Halia Bara) is a perennial herbaceous plant with virtually identical qualities to common ginger, but with smaller and more pungent rhizomes. It is widely known for ornamental purposes and is also applied in the medicinal field. Extraction of essential oil and hydrosol of Alpinia purpurata can be done through the hydro distillation method. The essential oil contains α-pinene, β-caryophyllene, geranial, neral and β-pinene that contribute to medicinal values while hydrosol's chemical components are yet to be identified. Hence, the primary objective of this study is to use the hydro distillation method to identify the chemical constituents and functional groups of active chemical compounds present in Alpinia purpurata's rhizomes hydrosol. Hydro distillation is also done at different heating temperatures and distillation times to see what influence temperature and distillation time have on the components and active compounds in the hydrosol. The powdered sample is used for extraction at 60°C, 80°C, and 100°C, with distillation periods of 1, 1.5, 2, and 2.5 hours. Burette is used to extract essential oil from the hydrosol. To further investigate the hydrosol, gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) and Fourier-transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR) are utilised extensively. The major chemical constituents detected in Alpinia purpurata's hydrosol at 100°C for 2.5 hours of distillation time include 1-Dodecanamine (40.08 %) and functional groups present are O-H, N-H, C-H, and C=H stretching, according to GC-MS and FTIR data. The increased heating temperature and distillation time caused the denaturation of substances in the extracted hydrosol. The chemical constituents present in hydrosol are greatly different from the chemical constituents that are present in essential oil qualitatively and quantitatively.
Alpinia Purpurata, Hydro Distillation, Essential Oil, Hydrosol
Copyright (c) 2022 Shamalah Sivem, Mohd Aizudin Abd Aziz, Muhammad Auni Hairunnaja, Norasiha Hamid
Identification of Chemical Constituents of Oroxylum Indicum (Bonglai) Hydrosol (Remaining Water After Oil Distillation) Extracted By Hydrodistillation Method
Oroxylum Indicum (Indian Trumpet Flower) or called Bonglai in Malay is a medicinal plant widely used, especially in the Indian medicine system. Oroxylum Indicum can be extracted by the hydrodistillation method to obtain the essential oil and hydrosol. Nevertheless, the chemical constituents of the hydrosol of the leaves are yet to be determined as hydrosol is always discarded, leading to the wastage of products. Thus, this study investigated the chemical constituents of Oroxylum Indicum leaves hydrosol extracted by hydrodistillation by varying temperatures and determined the functional groups of the active constituents in the leaves for the benefit and usage in pharmaceutical industries. Hydro distillation is carried out at different temperatures to study the effect of temperatures on the active compounds in the hydrosol. The hydrosol sample of the leaves will be extracted by hydrodistillation method at temperatures of 50℃, 70℃ and 80℃ and separated via rotary evaporator, and later analyzed by GC-MS and FTIR analysis. This study will help us to identify the value and amount yield of the chemical constituents of Oroxylum Indicum leaves hydrosol which will be able to determine whether it will have significant values equal to the essential oil. From FTIR analysis, the functional groups for all samples are the same which are O-H stretch, H- bonded, N-H stretch and C=C stretch. The chemical constituents of Oroxylum Indicum hydrosol were determined by GC-MS analysis. The major components of hydrosol produced at 50℃ are squalene (10.44%), 2ethylehexyl palmitate (8.56%), palmitic acid (7.50%), and di-n-2-propyl pentyl phthalate (1.69%), and at 70℃ is acetic acid (5.88%) only, while at 80℃ are only traces components respectively. This is due to most compounds contained may be decomposed during the preparation of samples prior to both analyses also the efficiency of the system and procedure during the extraction.
Oroxylum Indicum, hydrosol chemical constituents, hydro distillation
Copyright (c) 2022 Nur Ain Qaisarah Azhar, Mohd Aizudin Abd Aziz, Muhammad Auni Hairunnaja & Norasiha Hamid
Enhancing Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch (EFB) Compost by Addition of Burnt Rice Husk as Carrier Material for Selected Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria
The current interest in minimizing the use of inorganic fertilizers and the increasing demand for the combined action of beneficial microorganisms and agricultural wastes is considered to have a positive impact on soil, crop productivity and sustainable agriculture. The objective of this study was to prepare a series of combinations of empty fruit compost (EFBC) and burnt rice husk (BRH) as carrier materials for selected nitrogen-fixing bacteria, evaluate their suitability, and determine the ability of the inoculated EFBC-BRH carrier materials. Different ratios of EFBC and BRH were used to prepare the carrier materials for the selected N₂-fixing bacteria, namely strains Sb35 and Sb42 of Bacillus sp. Both coarse and fine EFBCs were used for the preparations. The suitability of the combinations of EFBC-BRH as a bacterial carrier was tested by inoculating the different ratios of organic material combinations with the N₂-fixing bacteria and incubating them at room temperature for eight weeks, after which the effects on the bacterial population, pH, moisture content, and contaminants were determined. The results showed that the fine-textured EFBC-BRH carriers’ formulation (T5 to T8) were better carriers compared to the formulation of coarse-textured EFBC-BRH carriers (T1 to T4). The inoculated carrier T6 (1 fine structured EFBC: 1 BRH) showed the best response with an increase in Sb35 and Sb42 populations of 7.34% and 7.47%, respectively. In conclusion, T6 as a carrier material for Sb35 and Sb42 is suitable to be developed as a biofertilizer.
Oil Palm EFB Compost, Burnt Rice Husk, Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria, Biofertilizer, Sustainability, Waste Management
Copyright (c) 2022 Syafina Fasya Saiful Anuar, Adzmi Yaacob, Radziah Othman
Development of Conceptual Design for Wheel Hub Retainer Tool
A wheel hub retainer tool is a tool used to facilitate maintenance and drive shaft replacement. The drive shaft will suffer from wear and tear as the age of a car increases and the driving style is relatively rugged. on the side of the road. The method of opening the drive shaft nut manually requires a special tool as a hub retainer when the nut is opened so that the hub will not also rotate in the same direction as the nut rotation. The absence of special tools to hold the hub when opening the drive shaft nut led to the existence of various techniques and ways to open the drive shaft nut by mechanics. However, it is feared that this situation could cause damage to other components such as broken or bent bold studs that could slow down maintenance work or drive shaft replacement. The conceptual design for designing this tool involves a morphology chart and design selection based on Weighing Result Matrix Table. There are four design concept options that have been studied. Based on the selection of the best concept, a selected design concept involves five components that can be stitched together. As a result of this study, a concept design has been produced with the appropriate dimensions.
Conceptual design, Drive shaft, Morfology chart, Weighting Results Matrix Table
Copyright (c) 2022 Mohd Hanapi bin Jusoh, Fais bin Ismail, Mohd Sailuddin bin Mamat
The Association Between Patient Satisfaction and other Related Factors at the Outpatient Department
Improving the quality of health in Malaysia contributes to improving national development. Patient satisfaction in public healthcare is the yardstick for healthcare quality to provide healthcare services effectively and accurately. The study aimed to define the relationship between patient satisfaction and other related factors in the outpatient department in a public clinic. Related factors investigated in this study were waiting time, staff interpersonal and technical quality, services, facility, and overall. The questionnaires were distributed to the patients visiting the outpatient department at a public clinic in Johor. A quantitative approach was used in this study. Although 500 questionnaires were distributed, only 447 were identified as complete questionnaires. The collected data on patient satisfaction from the questionnaire were analysed by SPSS Software using descriptive statistics (frequency (%), mean and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent t-test and ANOVA). The questionnaire analysed using SPSS software showed patient demographic information, disease characteristics, treatment, and other related factors. The level of patient satisfaction for waiting time, staff interpersonal and technical quality, service, and overall was tested using an independent t-test to determine whether there was a statistically significant difference between genders. The other is a one-way ANOVA, which examines whether status, the highest income, and frequency of hospital visits significantly affect patient satisfaction with waiting time.
Public Healthcare, Outpatient Department, Patient Satisfaction, Questionnaire, SPSS Software, Descriptive Statistics, Inferential Statistics
Copyright (c) 2023 Siti Nur Fadhilah Masrom, Phang Yook Nor, Ruzanita Mat Rani
Simulating and Analysing Patients’ Waiting Time in Outpatient Department at Public Clinic in Johor Using Arena Software
The simulation is a time-based representation of a real-world given system's performance. This study aims to simulate and analyse patient waiting time in the outpatient department at a public clinic in Johor. A quantitative approach was used in this study. The data collection method was observation. The patients' waiting time at the health clinic will be observed. The data collection will be held for ten days. There have 400 respondents who participated in the study. Arena Software analysed the collected data on waiting time from observation. There were two categories of outpatients in that queue modelling: express and regular. Patients that receive express care are pregnant, old, and disabled. Whereas healthy and young patients were classified as regular patients. The data obtained from the simulation and the observation will be compared to determine whether it satisfies the verification and validation requirements.
Public Healthcare, Patient Waiting Time, Queuing System, Simulation Model, Observation, Arena Software
Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) and Banker, Chames and Cooper Data Envelopment Analysis (BCC-DEA) Models in Improving the Allocation Officers in Outpatient Department
This study aims to propose an improvement model for the queuing system and determine the best and most appropriate allocation suggestion for officers at the outpatient department of a public clinic in Johor. In this study, Arena Simulation Software and Lingo Software were used. Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) and Banker, Chames, and Cooper Data Envelopment Analysis (BCC-DEA) models were used to determine the best improvement model across various alternatives. The Min-Max of officers was suggested as an improvement model. The mathematical formulation has been programmed and tested in the Lingo 19.0 software, and Decision-Making Units (DMU) would be suggested. After that, each DMUs were run in Arena Simulation Software. Then, the input and output of each DMUs were determined. The researcher used BCC Model Input-Oriented to reduce the input required to produce the optimal output. The mathematical formulation has been programmed again and tested in the Lingo 19.0 software. Based on the results, DMU is considered an efficient choice if the value θ_0 is one (θ_0= 1). DMU is considered an inefficient alternative if the value θ_0 is not one (θ_0 ≠ 1). The input-oriented BCC model needs to identify the most effective and efficient DMU because they have multiple DMUs that are rated as efficient. So, the Super Efficiency model was used to identify the most efficient and suitable DMU. The mathematical formulation has been programmed again and tested in the Lingo 19.0 software to identify the Super Efficiency model
Public Healthcare, Discrete-Event Simulation, Banker, Chames and Cooper Data Envelopment Analysis, Resource Allocation, Arena Software, Lingo Software
Experimental Investigation of Pre-Heating Double Pass Flow Arrangement on Thermal Performance Enhancement of Evacuated Glass-Thermal Absorber Tube Collector (EGATC) for Air Heating Application
Thermal energy storage (TES) in solar thermal application assist in increasing the performance and efficiency of the solar thermal collector system. Various technique has been developed to enhance TES performance, such as using water and PCM as energy storage material. The type of material selection and design arrangement also contributes to the performance of solar thermal collector systems. This research aims to enhance the thermal performance of the outlet temperature of an Evacuated Glass-Thermal Absorber Tube Collector (EGATC) for air heating applications. The performance study has been conducted to measure the outlet temperature per indoor setup under the artificial solar radiation on the parameter effect of double pass flow arrangement with pre-heating inner absorber parameter. The comparison experiment at wind speed 0.9 m/s for stainless steel inner absorber showed better results on temperature outlet 47.7°C, energy store 4.46KJ and efficiency (collector + storage) 37.5% compared with insulation materials internal absorber with temperature outlet 44.7°C, energy store 4.40KJ and efficiency (collector + storage) 31.1%, respectively. This concluded that EGATC performance can be increased with those respective parameters.
Pre-Heating, Double Pass Flow Arrangement, EGATC, Thermal Energy Storage
Copyright (c) 2023 Zairul Azrul Zakaria, Zafri Azran Abdul Majid, Muhammad Amin Harun, Sany Izan Ihsan, Ahmad Faris Ismail, Kamaruzzaman Sopian, Amir Abdul Razal, Ahmad Fadzil Sharol, Mohd Syahriman Mohd Azmi
Computer Vision-Based Approach for Breast Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation: A Survey
The number of breast cancer survivors living several decades after their diagnosis is increasing, which means there is a greater need for effective rehabilitation programs. While solid evidence suggests that safe exercise can improve quality of life and reduce the side effects of cancer treatments, recent research has revealed that patients may struggle to perform suggested physical exercises, particularly those in home-based rehabilitation programs. Most patients do not meet recommended levels of activity due to a lack of confidence in safety and a lack of supervision and evaluation. As a result, computer vision-based approaches have increased use for monitoring and evaluating exercise performance. Reliable motion capture sensors with advanced machine learning capabilities provide opportunities for systematic and standardized evaluation systems. This survey explores the literature on computer vision-based approaches to rehabilitation evaluation systems, including data collection with motion capture sensors and public datasets, feature extraction and representation, and feature comparison for evaluation. The study also reviews existing rehabilitation systems by comparing their data collection methods and findings. Additionally, the paper discusses challenges and recommendations related to this topic for further research.
Computer Vision, Human Action Recognition, Motion Evaluation, Machine Learning, Home Rehabilitation System, Breast Cancer
Copyright (c) 2023 Muriati Muda, Azim Zaliha Abd Aziz
IUKL Smart Car Parking App Using Automatic License Plate Recognition and Raspberry Pi
This Paper outlines the development of the IUKL Smart Parking mobile app developed for the Infrastructure University of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The Android mobile application was developed using android studio and allows users to make reservations for the IUKL campus parking facilities. Furthermore, an automatic license plate recognition algorithm was developed using a Raspberry Pi computer and tested using sample license plate images displayed on a smartphone. The license plate detection algorithm was implemented using Python as the programming language and the Python library Python-tesseract, which is an optical character recognition tool for Python. The automatic license plate recognition technique was created using this Python module. Additionally, the algorithm was tested using sample license plate images and this was accomplished using images displayed from a mobile device and yielded mainly accurate results, though not 100%. The results were displayed by emitting different LED colored lights, “Red” was emitted when a plate number was not identified, and “Green” was emitted when the plate number was identified successfully. Moreover, a database was developed using PhpMyAdmin which consists of data regarding users and parking lots. This was done to solve the issue whereby no information was recorded regarding the availability of parking spaces at the IUKL campus. This paper can also serve as a template and guide for the complete implementation of a smart parking system in a university-based environment.
Smart Parking System (Sps), License Plate Recognition, Raspberry Pi
Copyright (c) 2023 Hafiza Ahmad, Abudhahir Buhari, Suhaila Mohd Nordin, Marlon Charles Dominic Bijoux
Consumer Perception and Acceptance Across Different Scales of Vertical Farming in Klang Valley
To fulfil specific social and ecological goals, urban planners have started to view cities as sites for food production due to the world's increasing urbanisation and population growth. A large urban population can accommodate a bigger population. However, it is necessary to do so while reducing the expense of essential services. Town zones need the most intensive efforts, but they also provide the advantage of integrating local food production facilities into development owing to the high concentration of consumers. With the Malaysian government promoting urban farming initiatives, urban residents in affected communities will be able to explore vertical farming activities as a source of income. Thus, this study explores consumer insights on the awareness and purchasing habits of vertical farming products and systems. In specific, this study determines the fundamental drivers behind the implementation of three separate vertical farming systems as well as the behavioural intent of consumers to acquire either the items produced by these systems or the systems themselves. A quantitative survey involving 410 respondents from the Klang Valley was carried out. Structural equation modelling was used as the analysis method in this study. The findings reveal that customer acceptability of vertical farming systems is mostly influenced by their perceived usefulness. Greater accessibility and functionality increase the possibility that the technology will be accepted by consumers. This study will accommodate further research into the viability of vertical farms operating at various scales based on the needs and financial capabilities of a region.
Vertical Farming, Consumer Acceptance, Urban Agriculture
Copyright (c) 2023 Kartigha Ayamany, Suzana Ariff Azizan
Waste Management Practices for Mushroom Cultivation in Malaysia
Mushroom cultivation can be considered one of the best presentations of sustainable and circular economy activities. The growth substrate used for mushroom cultivation consists of other agricultural waste and its post-harvested waste. The waste product, Spent Mushroom Substrate (SMS), could also be used for animal feeding, plant fertilizer, and feedstock for biogas. It is then essential to determine whether the SMS produced is being used for other purposes to ensure that mushroom agriculture activity is a sustainable and circular economy activity. Therefore, this study explores the mushroom industry's waste management practices in the Malaysian context. A cross-sectional survey was conducted on 89 mushroom farmers. The results found that 60.7% of them manage SMS eco-friendly while only 16.9% handle plastic waste eco-friendly. This finding indicates that not all mushroom cultivation in Malaysia can be considered a sustainable and circular economic activity. Therefore, strategies should be formulated to increase the sustainable approach to managing SMS, such as workshops or providing comprehensive infrastructure and networks.
Spent Mushroom Substrate, Sustainable Agriculture Practice, Circular Economy, SMEs, Plastic Waste
Copyright (c) 2023 Nurulaini Abu Shamsi, Suzana Ariff Azizan, Neena Yusreena Abdul Rahman